Skip to main content

Scale reference

C Major scale

The reference scale of Western music. Its whole/half step pattern gives you the seven diatonic chords every pop progression is drawn from.

Step pattern: W–W–H–W–W–W–H (W = whole step, H = half step)

Notes in C Major

Scale degrees and intervals of the C Major scale
DegreeNoteInterval from root
1CRoot
2DMajor 2nd
3EMajor 3rd
4FPerfect 4th
5GPerfect 5th
6AMajor 6th
7BMajor 7th

Chords in C Major

These are the chords that occur naturally in C Major. Combine them in the chord progression generator to hear which genres use each shape.

Turn this into practice

ChordCraft Lab adds daily puzzles, adaptive quizzes and ear training on a playable keyboard. 14-day free trial, then $7/month.

Start free trial